Jackson fined for brawl, but punishment not enough in eyes of referees union

Jackson fined for brawl, but punishment not enough in eyes of referees union

The Raiders Insider Podcast

ALAMEDA – Gabe Jackson was not suspended for his part in a massive brawl between the Raiders and Denver Broncos. The Raiders right guard will still pay for making contact with an official -- $30,387 to be exact.

That’s a standard fine amount after making contact with an official, which also warrants an ejection.

He bull-rushed into a group of Broncos players attacking his teammate, and was ultimately pulled by the facemask during the altercation.

Jackson seemed to make incidental contact with the official, but injured him nonetheless.

The NFL Referee’s Association was upset Jackson didn’t get suspended. The union said in a letter to the league, obtained by theMMQB.com, that Laird Hayes went to the doctor a day after the game with bruised ribs and shortness of breath.

“We are very concerned that there was not a suspension of Raiders (guard) Gabe Jackson based on the melee that occurred,” the letter read, via theMMQB.com reporter Albert Breer.

Jackson wasn’t the only brawl participant to get fined. Denver edge rusher Shane Ray was docked $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct. He engaged in a few scuffles, and tried to take off Michael Crabtree’s shoes while several Broncos accosted the veteran Raiders receiver.

Crabtree and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib were suspended two games without pay, but was decreased to one game for both players upon appeal.

Stewart fined for Cooper hit

Broncos safety Darian Stewart was fined $24,309 for a violent hit that concussed Raiders receiver Amari Cooper, who also sprained an ankle on that play.

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio originally called it a “vicious hit,” but softened his stance a day later, saying Stewart was in a difficult spot considering Cooper ducked his head and shoulder. Stewart rotated some to avoid direct contact with his helmet or shoulder.

The Raiders have been cautious with Gareon Conley’s return from shin surgery. The cornerback’s clearance turned from red to yellow earlier in the offseason program, but finally went green in time to start the OTAs.

Last year’s first-round pick was reportedly a first-team cover man during the Raiders first OTA session on Tuesday. It was one of three open to the media.

The Raiders plan for him to be there throughout the regular season, and believe he has the makings of a No. 1 cornerback.

Head coach Jon Gruden has been excited to see the Ohio State product in action, as part of cornerback corps also featuring Rashaan Melvin and Daryl Worley.

“Yeah, it’s great to see Conley out there,” Gruden said after Tuesday’s OTA session. “We’re counting on him. We need him. But to see Rashaan Melvin and Conley and [Daryl] Worley competing is really exciting.

Conley was impressive during his first offseason program, until he hurt his shin during the team’s June 2017 minicamp. Conley barely played after that, with two games action and a handful of limited practices. He had surgery to repair his shin in Nov. 2017, and was eased back into action somewhat.

Conley doesn’t have an injury history save last year’s mishap, and could have a real impact if he remains healthy and continues to progress.

“Conley is special,” Gruden said. “He’s a top pick in this draft for a reason. I think from a confidence standpoint, he needs to get some work in out here.”

The player Oakland selected after Conley last year still hasn’t been cleared to work. Safety Obi Melifonwu wasn’t able to participate in Tuesday’s team drills, the first time this offseason offense and defense can play against each other.

The UConn product missed last season’s first half recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, and then needed hip surgery after the season. He still isn’t ready for a return.

“It doesn’t look close at all,” Gruden said. “I’ll leave it at that. He doesn’t look close, to me, at all.”

Physical issues are problematic for a player looking to earn a role on the team. The team is stocked at safety, with Karl Joseph, Reggie Nelson and Marcus Gilchrist leading the way.

“He doesn’t look ready to roll yet,” Gruden said. “So, I don’t let anybody practice without being able to go physically. He doesn’t look like he’s 100 percent. I haven’t seen much of Obi except in the training room.”

NOTES

-- Khalil Mack was not present for the start of voluntary OTAs, as expected. The elite edge rusher has missed the entire offseason program to this point, withholding services while waiting for a big-money contract extension the the Raiders have budgeted to give him.

-- Gruden said receiver Amari Cooper is dealing with a hamstring injury.

-- Left tackle Donald Penn is working his way back from foot surgery, and participated in individual drills on Tuesday. He was held back during team sessions, leaving David Sharpe to take first-team reps at left tackle. Breno Giacomini manned the first-team right tackle spot.

-- Rookies Kolton Miller (left tackle) and Brandon Parker (right tackle) worked with reserve units at this stage. Gruden was impressed with how both players absorbed the offense.

Hackenberg was a second-round draft choice in 2016, but never played a regular-season NFL snap. He dressed for just five games.

He’ll be competing for a roster spot in Oakland, as the Raiders will keep a maximum of three quarterbacks.

The Jets were clearly looking for new signal callers this offseason and got them, signing Teddy Bridgewater in free agency before drafting USC’s Sam Darnold third overall in the NFL draft.

Hackenberg took a thinly veiled shot at the Jets Tuesday morning, questioning why a throwing motion overhauled by private coaches wasn't done earlier by the Jets. He was traded later that day

Hackenberg was taken two rounds before Cook in the 2016 draft – the Raiders traded up to get Cook in the fourth -- and both guys have failed to find footing on an NFL roster. Cook has been the No. 3 quarterback in two professional seasons, save an emergency playoff start in the 2016 season.

Manuel is older, though fared well in limited action last year.

Hackenberg has plenty of arm strength but has struggled with accuracy, and couldn’t secure the Jets’ starting spot that was most always up for grabs.

"I'm 23 and I got a lot of ball ahead of me," Hackenberg said Tuesday per the New York Daily News. "Hell, my career hasn't even started yet. So I'm excited about what the future holds."

News of the trade broke after Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s Tuesday media session, meaning he was not immediately available to comment on the transaction.